TheActiveTimes.com: Worthless Fitness Products and Swaps

Worthless: Home Gym Equipment

According to Consumer Reports, nearly 40 percent of people who buy home gym equipment—treadmills, stair steppers and stationary bikes alike—end up using it less than they had expected. What's more, each year consumers spend $4 billion on the massive, space-sucking machines. Unless you know yourself (we mean really know yourself) and have an iron will, it's probably best to skip the expensive coat rack.

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According to Consumer Reports, nearly 40 percent of people who buy home gym equipment—treadmills, stair steppers and stationary bikes alike—end up using it less than they had expected. What's more, each year consumers spend $4 billion on the massive, space-sucking machines. Unless you know yourself (we mean really know yourself) and have an iron will, it's probably best to skip the expensive coat rack.

These weights are relatively inexpensive, are made for all skill levels, and can be used for everything from cardio to bulking up. Plus—they’re small enough to pack away when company comes over. “Just make sure to learn proper technique before you start,” Jones says. If you get hooked to kettlebells, maybe they're your gateway drug to a bigger, badder machine (hello, Bowflex!).

Buy weights that are five pounds or heavier (you'll rarely need anything lighter), and don’t be swayed by gender-specific marketing—it means nothing. If you’re hesitant about lifting in general, check out our introductory weight training moves for women, and remember that not only does lifting promote bone health, but it also helps you drop fat—regardless of your gender. But, “women still seem to think lifting will make them bulky, but that’s a complete myth!” Jones says.

Wear what makes you feel good! And, “if that comes from the Dollar Store, then go for it!,” Jones says. While we won’t go so far as to say the Dollar Store, we do know of 10 great deals on big-box fitness gear.

Yoga towels are marketed with fancy words like “anti-microbial,” “odor-resistant,” and “hypoallergenic,” and marketed to every novice yogi. But unless you’re a Bikram fanatic and are sweating your mat slippery at every class, yoga towels are more waste than worth. Think about it: In 2005, 2.5 billion towels changed hands, according to the New York Times. Do you really need another?

Use anything that absorbs moisture. Really—almost anything will do. Just be diligent about laundry, and when you’re washing your towels, don’t use fabric softener—“it makes towels less absorbent,” Jones says.